Saudi Aramco has taken a pioneering step in carbon capture and storage with the launch of Saudi Arabia’s first Carbon Capture Utilization and Sequestration (CCUS) and CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) demonstration project. This initiative captures carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, preventing them from being released into the atmosphere while enhancing oil recovery.
At the heart of the project, CO2 is captured, compressed, and transported 85 kilometers before being injected into a depleted zone of an oil reservoir. The dual objectives are to sequester a significant portion of the injected CO2 permanently and improve oil recovery beyond traditional water-flooding techniques.
A First-of-Its-Kind Initiative in the Middle East
Located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, this internationally recognized project is the largest of its kind in the Middle East in terms of scale and operation. As the world’s leading crude oil producer, Saudi Aramco is committed to environmental responsibility and reducing man-made greenhouse gas emissions.
The demonstration pilot, which has received seven international awards, consists of two key components: surface CO2 capture, dehydration, and compression, as well as subsurface injection and production. The project includes four injectors, four producers, and two observation wells, all specifically drilled and equipped with advanced monitoring systems. Real-time flow measurement devices and remotely controlled valves provide continuous surveillance and control over reservoir parameters.
Deploying Next-Generation Monitoring Technologies
As a testbed for Generation-2 Intelligent Field (iField) deployment, the project utilizes advanced monitoring technologies to track CO2 migration, optimize recovery mechanisms, and detect any operational challenges. These efforts aim to build public confidence in the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) first large-scale CO2 sequestration initiative.
Innovative surveillance methods are breaking new ground, with chemical tracer tests used to map CO2 flow paths and connectivity between injectors and producers. Cutting-edge logging techniques—including resistivity, PLTs, NMR, PNX, and pulsed neutron tools—have been implemented to enhance reservoir analysis.
To ensure environmental safety, real-time CO2 concentration measurement technology is deployed across the site to detect any unintended CO2 leakage. Additionally, dedicated observation wells with downhole sensors continuously monitor pressure, temperature, and saturation levels.
A Model for the Oil and Gas Industry
Saudi Aramco has invested significant resources into this initiative despite no mandatory requirement for its implementation. The company is actively sharing insights from the project with the global oil and gas industry, reinforcing its commitment to environmental stewardship and technological advancement.
The project has already achieved significant milestones, surpassing 15 million construction and operational man-hours without major incidents. A strong focus on Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) standards has been maintained throughout all phases of execution.
Each day, the project injects up to 2,000 tonnes of CO2 into the reservoir—equivalent to removing 170,000 cars from the road annually. Notably, 60 percent of the injected CO2 has been retained within the reservoir, demonstrating the project’s potential for long-term carbon sequestration and its positive impact on Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region.
Recognized for Environmental Leadership
Saudi Aramco’s efforts to address global environmental challenges by dovetailing technology and innovation to reduce its carbon footprint truly makes it worthy of the Green Initiative Award — Shanggari Balakrishnan, Chief Executive Officer, MORS Group
“The company’s openness to sharing its research and technology with the wider oil and gas industry speaks well of its desire to green the industry in which it operates.”
By integrating cutting-edge technology with sustainable practices, Saudi Aramco continues to lead the way in carbon capture, setting a benchmark for the global energy industry.
